San Elizario's efforts to become an incorporated city will continue Wednesday and Thursday when the effort's leaders meet with the Clint and Socorro city councils.

San Elizario Incorporation Efforts Group President Maya Sanchez will request permission from both towns, as required by state law, to incorporate within their extra-territorial jurisdiction.

The group is a political action committee that is leading the effort to have the small town become its own city.

"In order for us to be incorporated, we must ask permission from both cities to do so because they (Socorro and Clint) have first rights to the land," Sanchez said.

REPORTER

Alex Hinojosa

The group's efforts to move toward incorporation began in January when the city of Socorro announced plans to annex a portion of San Elizario. This raised concerns among residents, who suspected that over time they would be a part of the neighboring town, which may result in higher property taxes.

"We were threatened with the annexation of the city of Socorro," Sanchez said. "Incorporation is the only way we can preserve and maintain our community and avoid high property tax raises. By being incorporated, taxes would still be raised, but they would be minimal, and it would be something we could control ourselves."

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If San Elizario receives permission from both Socorro and Clint, then the group must raise about $20,000 for incorporation legal fees and complete a petition process that requires signatures by 50 eligible voters in the area.

The group must also submit the signatures and fees to El Paso County Judge Veronica Escobar by Aug. 26 so that the incorporation could be placed on a November ballot.

So far, the San Elizario incorporation group has raised abut $7,000 through fundraisers, donations and a PayPal account and has collected about half of those signatures.

Aaron Bracamontes may be reached at abracamontes@elpasotimes.com; 546-6156.Alex Hinojosa may be reached at ahinojosa@elpasotimes.com; 546-6137.

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